What To Do In Whitley Bay
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There is no place like Whitley Bay. This spectacular coastal town in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been my favourite place on this gigantic space rock since I was a tiny child. When I was little I loved Whitley Bay for the amusements and memories with my family. As I grew up it became my safe place and a home to return to between my travels.
Over my 25 years on the planet, I have seen Whitley Bay change A LOT and that’s just my time here. Ask my Dad and this blog post could go on for a lot longer, Whitley Bay used to have quite the reputation for a night out. It was a little more run-down in my childhood, not that it stopped me loving it. Then it felt like almost everywhere had a revamp. The iconic Spanish City was restored in 2018, and works began to improve the beachfront promenade. Independent sellers, coffee shops, and other small businesses started popping up on the town’s high street. Then in 2023, Whitley Bay took the crown for the Best Place to Live according to the Sunday Times. Safe to say I felt a little smug I’d felt that way since 1999, well maybe more like 2003 when I could consciously have thoughts and remember them.
My rambles about how special Whitley Bay is to me could go on for millions of words, but I think that’s overdoing it, so I’ll stop. For now, let’s get to the information side of this post.
What to Do in Whitley Bay
Stop by Spanish City
Spanish City, the iconic landmark of Whitley Bay, was built in 1908 as a fairground. For a little history, I asked my Dad to tell me his memories of Spanish City 40ish years ago in his childhood, “Fun Friday nights with friends, laughter, rides, 10p space invaders in the arcades and chippy on the way home”.
Nowadays, this northern mecca is home to restaurants, cafes, a bottle shop and a personal favourite Love of the North, the shop for all your local souvieners. In the space in front of Spanish City, you will often find some buskers, shout out to Digerdoo man. You will also regularly find fairs/festivals with small rides and food and drink stalls here, so keep your eyes peeled.
Head to St Mary’s Lighthouse
Another landmark of Whitley Bay, St Mary’s Lighthouse is reached only at low tide by a short causeway. You can climb the 137 steps to the top or go exploring for sea creatures in the rockpools alongside the path to the lighthouse. If you come at the right time and head round the back of the lighthouse you may just spot some of the St Mary’s seals on the rocks.
A tip for those who live close to Whitley Bay, I love to stop by at sunset and sunrise and on a clear night you can see some incredible starry skies.
*As of October 2024 the lighthouse is closed due to restoration works, check here to confirm the reopening date.
Wander along the promenade
Nothing better than a walk along the coast, the fresh sea air, the sound of crashing waves and a small human trying to flatten you whilst learning how to ride a bike. Whitley Bay Promenade has all of these things and sometimes you won’t even get flattened. Whether you want to walk, bike, scooter, skateboard or even rollerblade get yourself down here. You can also find the infamous Rendezvous Cafe along the promenade, a long-time resident of Whitley Bay seafront.
Find your inner child at the amusements
I sometimes wonder how much money I have spent on these amusements and then I remember you can’t put a price on happiness. Having a shoot-out on Time Crisis, dodging my awful shots on the basketball game and getting Stack and Grab stuck in my head whilst trying to win a stuffed toy. Or taking joy in a pot full of gold, sorry I mean 2p coins, to shove in a drop machine to win a keyring or a singular Maoam. These are the highs of being a child in Whitley Bay, don’t even get me started on the joy I felt when that rollercoaster simulator came to the bay.
You can find this endless happiness on Marine Avenue just off the seafront, location here and here. And please don’t ask me to decide which of the two amusement shops is better that’s like making me choose between pasta and parmesan.
Shop till you drop on the high street
Park View, the town’s high street, has had a massive resurgence in the last 5 years. This is particularly special given the fact a lot of high streets in the UK are struggling with a lot of empty units, but not Whitley Bay. Here’s a glimpse of some of the shops I love on Park View:
Bellwoods - for gifts, homeware and just vibes
Mama Roux Records- for those who love a record shop
The Bound- for the book lovers
Keel Row Books- for the book lovers who love the classics
Escape Boutique- for clothing and accessories
Park View Deli Bar- for all those special ingredients
Behalla - for plant lovers and sustainable shopping
Take an ice-cold dip in the North Sea
I’m a bit of a hypocrite suggesting this as in my 25 years of loving Whitley Bay like it’s my lifelong partner I have only dipped myself into the North Sea a handful of times. I’m just a girl who is sensitive to the cold. However many people do swim at Whitley Bay and love it, so if you are ready to get on that cold dip hype go for it.
If not stop by in the summer, bring your beach gear, set up camp and enjoy the unusually rare summer day in Whitley Bay. Watch out for that sea fret though it flows through the bay ready to ruin your summer’s day.
If you have no idea what I am babbling on about, sea fret is caused by warm weather; when a pocket of warm air passes over the cold North Sea, the moisture in the air starts to condense. It’s essentially heavy fog but in the summer when it could be 25°C in the centre of Newcastle. It’s strange I know.
Catch a movie at JamJar
I will be a cinema girly till I die, I don’t care if I have a whole library of films to watch on the internet. Nothing beats a movie in a cinema and JamJar is a lovely independent cinema just off the high street in Whitley Bay. For those grey rainy days, when all you can do by the beach is storm watch and freeze to death this is the thing to do. From new releases to old classics to a few indies JamJar has it all including a lounge for a pre/post-movie drink.
Discover what is currently showing at JamJar ->
Walk along the coast to Tynemouth
When I lived in Whitley Bay, walking along the coast to Tynemouth was a regular occurrence. It takes about an hour to walk from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth, and there are many places to stop along the way. Some of the highlights for me are Queens Head Pub, Longsands Beach and Lost World Mini Golf. It’s a simple route, just stick by the coast and you can’t get lost.
Get lucky and see the Northern Lights
Now this is a rare and niche occurrence, however, since 2022 I have seen the Northern Lights in Whitley Bay 3 times. So it’s not completely impossible and it’s one hell of a special sight when it does happen. Download the Aurora app to track when they are visible and enjoy the magic of this scientific wonder on the shores of Whitley Bay.
Where to Eat+Drink in Whitley Bay
Di Meos for the best ice cream and fries in the world
Little Lobo for a spicy margarita and tacos
Al Bear for an evening meal
Thirteen for a post-beach walk lunch
Pure Knead for bakery goods
Fishermans Bay for the best fish and chips
Kith and Kin for brunch with the best coffee
Wombat Wisdom for a takeaway coffee fix
Gilbert and Smiths for drinks and shuffleboard
Split Chimp Ale House for a seafront beverage
I’m currently writing this post from my current location Perth, Australia and it’s making me miss Whitley Bay a lot. You can take the gal out of Whitley Bay but not the Whitley Bay out of the gal. For me this has been one of the beauties of travel, you don’t truly understand the meaning of something until it’s gone. I appreciate everything there 10 times as much when I go back.
When I was leaving Whitley Bay for Australia in August 2024 there is a lot on its way. They had just got approval for a Stack (shipping container style street food chain in Newcastle) on the back of Spanish City, my favourite espresso martini bar, Horticulture, was opening a venue and they were finally repainting St Mary’s Lighthouse.
The UK may be in a cost-of-living crisis but Whitley Bay is flourishing and I can’t wait to come home to explore it all over again.
Discover more Newcastle and Northumberland:
Best Things to Do in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
